Crackling distortion


I have a used (new to me) VPI Scout with a new Dynavector 20x2L with a bunch of new vinyl to go along with it. I used the VPI rig to set it up and followed all the instructions on se up, with the amount of anti skate be set right not 100% there. I have a Shure force guage and I'm running 2.2g grams + .1g per VPI recommendation. 2.2 is max for DV cart.

I've noticed on some albums I'm getting a crackling distortion in some high transients and on some vocals - especially the emphasized.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or what to do next. I did notice that after 12 hours on the new cart I had just a hair more than the 2.3 g of force, so I adjusted that yesterday, but I'm still hitting the crackling. Could I of already damaged the cart?

I double checked the overhand with the VPI and its right on the dot. My VTA is level.

The record is new and freshly cleaned and dry. The needle was brushed and cleaned as well. Both channels seem equal as well.

Any help would be appreciated.
last_lemming

Showing 5 responses by bifwynne

Last lemming, glad to hear that your problem is cleaned up (pun - LOL). I have a similar rig: VPI Classic and DV 20X2 HO (back-up carty). Just a Q and and 2 "fyi's."

The Q is how did you adjust azimuth?

The fyi's are the Sound Smith Counter-Intuitive counter-weight thingy greatly simplifies the process of setting azimuth and VTF, and its cheap (about $65). You may want to consider buying it.

Also, Peter Ledermann of Sound Smith, a pretty well respected guy in the audio/cartridge/TT segment of our hobby, disagrees with VPI's advice on setting VTF and AS. In short, he told me that setting VTF on the low end of the recommended range is better as long as the carty is tracking ok.

He also thinks AS should be used, but I honestly don't know how to apply his advice and I don't have the patience to learn. So, I just put one of those little rubber donut ring thingys on the business end of the AS device.

I honestly can't say the sound is better, but I am hoping to get more life out of my stylus. When Peter did my last re-tip, he commented that the sylus wear pattern suggested that AS was off. I'll report back later when I do my next retip.

In the meantime, I recommend that you give Peter a call, if for no ther reason than to buy the Counter-Intuitive device. He's a great guy and is always happy to give advice.

FWIW. Cheers, BIF
LL, if you eliminated the electronics it's either the TT set-up, or the speakers which I assume are fine. I have some familiarity with DV and I would be pretty surprised that your low output cartridge is overloading your receiver's phono input section. As stated that leaves the TT.

I would try reducing the VTF to the low side of the recommended range. I think my HO calls for VTF of 1.8 to 2.2 grams. Try 1.8 grams and report back.

From what you've said, azimuth and alignment should be ok. Unless VTA is way, way off I'd be surprised that is the source of the problem.

So try the other TT. Kinda doubt that the VPI is the source of the problem. If everything else checks out after trying your old TT and reducing VTF, I would try another carty in the TT. It's very unlikely but possible that the carty is defective.
Captain . . . I appreciate that setting AS force will depend on all the other variables mentioned in your post. Just curious how you decided that "[o]ne donut at the top of the vertical bar, with the fishing line on the top, and no donuts on the horizontal bar" was the amount of AS forced needed.

I just guessed on my rig. Two donuts on the verticle bar to hold the looped fishing wire, and one donut on the horizontal bar. I think we're pretty close because the verticle and horizontal bars will offset each other.

Thanks